Turkish warships stop Italy’s ENI rig in Cyprus EEZ

Since the failed coup attempt, Ankara has adopted a more aggressive tone in towards its neighbours.[Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. / Flickr] - via eurActiv

Fox News — Turkish warships on maneuvers in the Mediterranean Sea have blocked a rig belonging to the Italian energy firm ENI from reaching an area off Cyprus to start searching for gas, officials said Saturday.

The rig has halted its journey heading south of Cyprus and is waiting for directions from ENI. Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said Cyprus authorities are in contact with the company and the Italian government.

The Saipem 12000 rig was stopped Friday by Turkish military ships and told not to continue “because there would be military activities in the destination area,” an ENI spokesman told The Associated Press. “The vessel has prudently executed the orders and will remain in position pending a development of the situation.”

The rig was on its way to drill an exploratory well at Block 3, an area southeast of the island, where ENI is licensed to search for hydrocarbons beneath the seabed.

On Thursday, Cyprus said ENI and partner TOTAL of France had discovered a potentially sizeable gas deposit at another block south of the island.

Turkey opposes the drilling, saying it flouts the rights of people in the self declared Turkish Cypriot state formed on the Turkish occupied part of the island, recognised only by Turkey.